Reproducing machine



W. G. SHIPMAN REPRODCING MACHINE Dec. 5, 1939.

vFiled Aug. 13, 1957 4 snets-shet a I '7. lNvgNToR. BY Walter G. Mpman A' y ArroRNEY.

w. G. sHlPMAN REPRODUGING MACHINE Dec. 5, 1939.

Filed Aug. v1s, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y v BY' `Walter 6'. 6111 pman .rrroRNEinV .j 5, 1939. w. s. sHlPMANf REPRODUCING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet- 4 Filed Aug. 13, 1937' ipman l ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec.`5, 1939 Walter G. Shipman, Iowa Park, Tex. Application August 1a, 1937, serial No. 159,008

, 9 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in reproducing machines particularly for generating or reproducing various shapes, utilizing a cutting element for the purpose of cutting one or more 5 desired patterns automatically after the machine is once set-in operation.

The object of the present invention isto improve the construction of machines of this character by providing for reproducing accurate patl terns from a metal plate; readily adjusting the machines to various working conditions; accurately controlling the speed of the machine according to the desired cutting speed; using an adjustable torch that may be swung to .one side l until the cutting operation is started, which will then automatically nd its true path upon release, preventing injury or nicking of the outlin of the pattern being cut.

lOther improved features of this machine include the use of a crankwhich may be readily adjusted from zero to maximum, as desired, and the arrangement of a tracer for the template with its face in alignment with the center of the crank pin, thus making it possible to use the exact size of cam or shape that it is desired to reproduce.

'I'hese improved features of this invention are included in a preferred embodiment thereof, as well as in a modication which are set forth in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional'view through the machine parts being in elevation:

Fig. 2 is a transverse-sectional view therethrough on the line 2-2.of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view yof the complete machine;

Fig. 4 is a similar view with the cranks secured in positions for generating circles;

Fig. 5 is a similar view in which the cranks are adjusted for generating an ellipse;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of a crank removed, having an offset crank pin;

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing another form of crank pin;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figc'l;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view through the torch holder, substantially on the line 9-9 0f Fig. 10; Y

Fig. 10 is a side elevation partly in section of the; torch holder; Y

Fig. 11 is atop plan view of a modified form of this invention as used for generating a plurality of patterns; and

(ci. 26e-z3) y A Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view there through, parts being in elevation. i

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 10, the numeral I5 designates the, frame of the machine in which is v:iournaled a 5 ""main drive shaft I6 having bevel pinions |1 and I8 mounted thereon, the pinion I1 being slidably keyed or splined to the drive shaft while the l pinion I8 is fixed thereto. Bevel gears I9 and 20 are arranged in mesh with the bevel pinions 10 and 24 fixed to the upper ends thereof, respectively. Slidably mounted on the cranks 23 and 15 24 are blocks 25 which may be moved to desired positions with respect to the cranks and then securely fastened thereto by set screws 21 (Fig. 8).

' In the form of theinvention shown in Figs. 1 20 and 2, the stub shaft y'f2I is journaled in a sliding gear carriage 28, slidably mounted on the'frame I5 and having a. threaded connection with a screw shaft 30 carrying a hand crank 29 for rotating the same to cause longitudinal move, 25 ment of the gear carriage.' This is desirable for cutting certainv forms of ellipses and cams as will,

be pointed out hereafter.

The machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 is designed for the use of templates, designated by .30 the numeral 3| for the duplication of cams or other shapes corresponding `with the templates to be cut from a solid plate designated generally by the numeral 32, which plate should be mounted I in a desired position adjacent the template. 35

The blocks 25' carry the crank pins 25 and 26 on the upper sides thereof, and also carry rollers 34 on the lower sides thereof, as shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, which rollers bear'against the template 3|, riding along the edges thereof. 4:0v

which following action is causedI by springs 33 connected between the blocks 25 and thestub. shafts 2| and 22. The'set screws 21 will be released during this action permitting the blocks 45 to slide along the cranks 23 and 24, as governed by the templates. As shown in Figs. 1 and '1, the

-inner edge of each roller facing the adjacent stub shaft is disposed substantially on the. central axis'of the corresponding crank pin 25 or 50 26, which arrangement makes it possible to cut a cam from the plate 32 of exact size and shape of the template, since the center of each crank' pin will-follow theperiphery of the template exactly as 'ach crank is rotated by its stub shaft, f

. 'the blocks 25' sliding along the cranks to permit holder40 which is secured thereto by a set the torch holder 40 on pivots 42' (Fig. 9).

screw 4l (Fig. 3). A torch 42 of the usual character for cutting metal is pivotally mounted in The cutting torch 42 is normally centered in its holder by springs 44 acting on opposite sides thereof, permitting the cutting torch to be swung manually to one side or other of its regular path when desired. The tension of the respective springs may be adjusted by set screws 43 acting thereon to regulate the position of the torch. After the cutting operation has started, the torch may be released by the operator and it will adjust itself automatically to the correct position, thus preventing nicking or injury to the form being cut. f

The machine is designed to be driven by power with any desired means of speed reduction, but in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, frictional gearing is used including a disc 45, attached to the drive shaft I6, and a pinion 46 slidably keyed to an armature shaft 50 of a driving motor 50, said pinion 46 being slidable along the armature shaft to-various positions with respect to the disc 45. This makes it possible to vary thespeed from zero to full speed and also to reverse the driving action of the drive shaft l5, as desired.

The pinion 46 is adapted to be shifted by a lever 41 which is attached to a shifter fork 48. A tension spring 49 may be provided to bear upon the shifter fork 48 and frictionally hold thev the bearings 35 and 33. When the cranks 23 and 24 rotate, -they will move the crank pins in true duplicate circles and thereby cause a like movement of the torch 42 in a circle, which form would thereby be cut by the torch.

In order to adjust the blocks 25' and the crank pins carried thereby lengthwise of the cranks, each blockf'is provided with a thumb wheel 5I carrying a pinion 52, in mesh with a -rack 53 formed on the underside of the crank,.as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, so that upon rotation ofthe thumb wheel 5I, the block" will be moved lengthwise alongl the crank. The latter may be graduated to indicate the extent of ladjustment for accurate setting of the crank pins according to the size and shape-of the work to be cut. After ad-4 When itis desired to cut elliptical shapes without the use of templates, as shown in Fig. 5, the blocks may be adjusted along the cranks to set positions. The crank pin 25 should be set with its radius of movement equal to one-half of the minor axis of the ellipse and then secured toits crank 24.

The block carrying the crank pin 25 is adjusted inwardly on the crank 23 to a point where the radius of its circle of movement is equal to one-half of the difference between onehalf of the major and minor axes of the ellipse. This is true where the distance from the crank pin 26 to the center of torch 42 is equal to the center spacing of the stub shafts 2| and 22. To cuty an ellipse, one of the set screws 31 or 33 should be loosened and the other tightened so that the arm 33 slides through one of the bearings 35 or 36, but not the other. In Fig. 5, the set screw 33 is tightened and the set screw 31 is loosened to produce a swinging motion of the arm 39, as the cranks are rotated. For instance, where it is desired to cut an ellipse with a minor axis of twenty-four inches and a major axis of thirty-six inches, the crank pin 26 is secured with respect to its crank 24 at a point twelve inches from the center of the shaft 22. The crank pin 25 is secured on the crank 23 at a point six inches nearer the center or six inches from the center of the shaft 2|.

In this way either by the use of templates or without, various shapes may be cut automatically with this machine and once the machine is set to cut a desired shape, any number of such shapes may be reproduced without further setting of the machine.

In order to cut a plurality of duplicate shapes at one time, a machine similar to that shown in Figs. 11 and-12 may be utilized, operating on substantially the same principle as described above except that cranks 23' and 24' are spaced at opposite ends of the machine and carry an arm 39' extending therebetween. Torches 42" are fixed on the arm 39' in longitudinally spaced relation, which torches may be given movements generally as described above vaccording to the connection and positioning of the crank pins with respect to the cranks. As shown, the crank pins are adjusted and secured to the cranks 23' and 24' for cutting circles of definite sizes, a plurality being cut at a single operation and for each revolution of the cranks. In this instance. a carriage 54 may be utilized for passing the plate 32' beneath the torches 42' and may move in step-by-step action for cutting forms at different points in the plate. Manifold pipes 55 may be carried by the arm 33' for conducting the respective gases to' the plurality of torches, the flow being controlled by valves 55.

Templates. similar to the templates 3l de scribed above may be secured on the frame of the machine, designated l5' in Figs. 11 and 12 for causing the cutting of a plurality of cams or other desired shapes at a single operation.

I claim:

1. In a reproducing machine, the combination of a crank, means mounting said crank for swinging movement, a block sleeved on said crank for sliding movement lengthwise relative thereto, means for holding said -block in adjusted positions relative to the crank, a crank pin carried by the block and upstanding therefrom, and a member journaled on said crank pin and having a clamp carried thereby for receiving and securing a cutting tool support.

,2. In a reproducing machine, the combination of a support for a cutting tool, va crank carrying a crank pin slidably mounted thereon for moveplate guiding means for moving the crank pin lengthwise relative to the crank.

3. In a reproducing machine, the combination of a support for a cutting tool, a crank carrying a crank pin slidably mounted thereon-for movement lengthwise of the crank, means connecting said support with the crank pin, and template guiding means for moving the crank pin lengthwise relative to the crank. said template guiding means having its template engaging-side located substantially on the axis of the crank pin'.

4. In a reproducing machine, the combination of a support for a cutting tool, a pair of cranks having crank pins provided with journal connections with said support, means for providing sliding movement of the support relative to one of the crank pins while holding the support against sliding movement relative to the other crank pin, means mounting said crank pins on the cranks for sliding movement lengthwise thereof, and a drive shaft having geared connection with the cranks for positively turning the same.

5. In a reproducing machine, the combination of a support for a'cutting tool, a pair of cranks having crank pins provided with journal connections with said support, journals for said cranks, and a drive shaft having geared connections lwith said journals for positively turning the same, power means for operating said drive shaft, means mounting one of said cranks for bodily movement toward'and from the other crank, and means for causing said bodily movement while maintaining the driving connection with the drive shazlt.

6, In a reproducing machine, the combination of a support for a cutting tool, a pair of cranks having crank pins movable relative thereto and provided with journal connections with said support, means for rotating said cranks, and template Vcontrolled means for moving the crank pins along the cranks vto describe the cutting movements. f

'1. In a reproducing machine, the combination of an arm for supporting a. cutting tool, a pair of cranks, blocks slidably mounted thereon for movement lengthwise thereof, crank pins carried by the blocks and having journal ,connections with the arm, resilient means acting on the blocks tending to move the same inwardly, and means for regulatingthe positions of blocks with respect to the cranks,

8. In a reproducing machine, the combination of an arm for supportinga cutting tool, a pair of cranks having blocks slidably mounted thereo'n for movement lengthwise of said cranks, crank pins carried by the blocks and having journal connections with the arm, resilient means acting on the blocks tending to move the same inwardly, means for regulating the positions of blocks with respect to the cranks, and template controlled means forcausing outward movement of the blocks relative to the cranks to describe the cutting path of the tool, the'template engaging sides of said means being approximately on the axes of the crank pins. v

9. In a reproducing machine, a torch" holder having a torch pivotally mounted therein, and resilient means bearing vagainst opposite sides of the torch normally tending to center the same in the holder.

WALTER G. SHIPMAN. 

